Dasun Shanaka leaves PSL for IPL 2026; joins this team as a replacement

In what has been the latest development, as per the reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that Sri Lanka Cricket Team captain Dasun Shanaka has ditched the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The league will is all set to begin on March 28 in Bengaluru.

The reports stated that Dasun Shanaka is all set to replace Sam Curran in the Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad for IPL 2026. The England all-rounder was ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury in a massive blow to the inaugural champions of the IPL.

Dasun Shanaka was roped in by Lahore Qalandars for PSL 2026. He went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, after which he decided to play in the PSL. However, now he has taken a U-turn and will be landing soon in India to join the Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2026.

RR ropes in Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for Sam Curran

The Rajasthan Royals are yet to make an official announcement, but the conversations have already taken place and the replacement has been finalised as well. 

A top Royals official confirmed the signing to Cricbuzz. "Yes, we're close to signing him," an official of the franchise told this website. "A few formalities are pending. He has to complete some paperwork with Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC)"

With this, Shanaka became the second player to leave PSL 2026 and join IPL 2026 along with Zimbabwe star Blessing Muzarabani, who withdrew his contract with Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders, who signed him in place of Mustafizur Rahman.

This will be the third stint for Dasun Shanaka in the IPL. The Sri Lanka T20I captain earlier played for the Gujarat Titans in 2023, when he was signed as a replacement for injured Kane Williamson. In 2025 as well, he joined GT in place of injured Glenn Phillips.